Directionally Challenged: How To Find My Way Back

Do you know of someone who often confuses left and right directions? Or perhaps that someone is you? Do you have trouble distinguishing your left from your right? Now before everyone gets upset, right-left confusion is a real thing. Some people have trouble distinguishing left from right, particularly in time pressure situations. How do I know this? I happen to be one such person.

Directionally Challenged

If you are curious to know if you are directionally challenged, you can search online. However, I guarantee those who are directionally challenged; you know who you are, LOL. But to make a point. Do you get lost the first time you go somewhere new using GPS? Hmm. How often does the GPS tell you Route Recalculating after telling you to make a left turn or right turn? Hmm. You stopped and asked for directions and still got lost? Hmm. I rest my case. To the newly aware, directionally challenged, welcome; you are not alone. 

I jest because I have had moments when being directionally challenged was no fun at all. Once, I remember a friend invited me over to her house to pick something up. The trip was supposed to be a quick one. She lived about 20 minutes away (in her estimation). Well, issue number one, this was my first time going to her house. Issue number two, she gave me directions over the phone using “left-right” terminology. Suffice it to say, 45 minutes later, I was in the next state, far, far away from her house. Yes! Epic fail.

GPS And The Super Helpers

To say that this was an isolated incident would be fantastic. Unfortunately, when you are directionally challenged, getting lost is somewhat of a common occurrence. Perhaps you are going somewhere for the first time. Or you are returning home from an unknown place for the first time. Maybe even taking a different route or detour. These are all recipes for disaster for the directionally challenged.

GPS is effective to a point. When Navi (my name for my GPS) says to turn left, there must be a corresponding arrow slowing which way to turn. The assumption that I am going to make the correct “left” turn is a judgment call. Suppose I do not purposely look at the screen to see which direction Navi wants me to turn when she says to make a “left” turn. Then there’s a 50-50 chance I will turn the right way. And please do not get me started on exits that sneak up on you or hide next to others.

Then there are the super helpers who like to help you make the right turn by shouting “turn left” or “turn right” from the back seat. I love my super helpers! There is nothing less satisfying when you are at a crossroads and do not know which way to turn, and a “super helper” yells “turn left” or “turn right.” I want to say, just once, “thank you, super helper. Thank you so much; kisses.”

Finding My Way Back

However, in every one of my lost escapades, I always managed to find my way back. The journey was often frustrating and sometimes fraught with danger. Finding my way back was always a completely different experience. Perhaps it’s because I am going toward a known destination (home). Or maybe it’s because I was lost so many times, I am less anxious. 

Whatever the reason, I decided a long time ago that it doesn’t matter how many times I get lost. What truly matters is finding my way back. For me, one of the first things I learned to do is to shut out all the other voices telling me what to do and which way to turn. Listening to too many well-meaning people can often be just as confusing. 

Now is the time when taking deep breaths comes in handy. Take your time. Remember, you are already lost, so the bad part is already over. Now your journey begins. If you happen to take another wrong turn, don’t beat yourself up. You did that enough on your way to lost. Before you realize it, you will find yourself back to the familiar. But don’t get too comfortable. 

The “Right” Way

Too often, the familiar can be a gateway to getting lost again. Find some tools that will help you. For me, my new Navi has a screen that pops up directly in front of the driver’s side of the dashboard. When she says turn right, there is an arrow showing me which “right” to turn. So that takes care of driving directions. 

In life, if you’ve taken too many wrong turns. Find some tools to help you to get back on the right track. It’s all up to you. We may be directionally challenged, but we do not have to stay lost forever.